And while this could mean any number of things -- Tampa's defense is better, and much further ahead than the Titans' -- it seems to have gotten the attention of Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.

"One thing we love about Jameis is he trusts his arm, but at the same time we want to minimize mistakes," Licht said on NFL Preseason HQ.

Winston threw 28 picks in two seasons as Florida State's starter -- 18 his senior year -- while Mariota tossed just 14 in three years, including four in each of his last two seasons.

Mariota was playing in a quarterback friendly offense, but it speaks to the risks he was not willing to take.

If that sort of on-field tendency is a future indicator, though, Tampa Bay had better prepare for a learning curve. Rookie quarterbacks can lift a team so long as they limit the devastating mistakes that are so common in first-year players.

It sounds like Tampa Bay is trying to iron this out while there's still time.